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KDMC Cancer Program Earns 3-year Accreditation

ASHLAND, KY — KDMC’s cancer program has earned “Three-Year Approval with Commendation” from the American College of Surgeons (ACOS) Commission on Cancer. The Cancer Resource Center is recognized by the ACOS as a “Comprehensive Community Cancer Program.” A formal announcement will took place during a team member celebration event Wednesday, December 13, at 9 a.m. in the Parkview Café.

“Approval by the Commission on Cancer is presented only to those facilities that provide the highest level of quality cancer care and undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance,” says Jeff Lopez, M.D., radiation oncologist and King’s Daughters Cancer Committee chair. “Area patients can feel confident that exceptional cancer care is available right here in Ashland.”

King’s Daughters cancer program is among only 25 percent of all U.S. hospitals approved by the Commission on Cancer, an organization dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. To maintain approval, accredited facilities undergo an on-site review every three years. KDMC’s cancer program has earned ACOS approval continuously since 1994.

In addition to the three-year accreditation, KDMC’s cancer program demonstrated a Commendation level of compliance in seven of nine categories, including:

Cancer Committee Leadership — Physicians representing a broad spectrum of specialties participate in cancer committees to review individual cancer cases and determine the best course of treatment for each patient. The Committee on Cancer commended in the area of Outcomes Analysis, which acknowledges committee members’ dedication to following national guidelines for cancer treatments, as well as their integration of local, state and national cancer trends.

Quality Improvement — The Commission on Cancer recognized KDMC in the area of Cancer-Related Improvements. This year, the cancer program initiated a new service that improves call back times for patients with suspicious mammograms. In 2005, the program introduced a lung health specialist nurse to help ensure lung cancer is diagnosed in its earliest, most treatable stages.

Clinical Services — Timely staging of cancer is essential to determining the correct course of treatment. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) has established gold standard guidelines for cancer staging. The Commission on Cancer recognized KDMC clinical services in two areas: AJCC Staging (KDMC physicians exceed the 90 percent level for excellence in timely cancer staging), and Outcomes Analysis (careful review of our registry data acknowledges KDMC is following national guidelines for cancer treatment).

Cancer Data Management — Oncology programs, by law, are required to report information about cancer cases to state and national health agencies. KDMC’s cancer registry creates a snapshot for each case, collecting patient demographics, cancer stage and treatment regimen, as well as lifetime follow-up. The Commission on Cancer commended KDMC’s cancer registry in two areas: Abstracting Timeframe (submitting information in a timely manner), and Quality of National Cancer Database Data Submission (KDMC provides precise data that reflect a 98-99 percent accuracy rate, exceeding the state goal of 95 percent).

Community Outreach —Community education is essential in preventing cancer, as well as improving early detection awareness. In 2005, KDMC provided more than 1,000 free cancer screenings, and offered cancer education to an additional 7,300. The Commission on Cancer recognized the medical center’s Community Outreach efforts, particularly in the area of lung health. KDMC offers free tobacco cessation programs, tobacco prevention presentations to students of all ages, and lung function tests at many screening events. Annual skin cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer screenings also are offered.

Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer-approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:

highest quality care, including a range of state-of-the art services and equipment

a multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options

information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options

access to cancer-related information, education, and support

a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up

ongoing monitoring and improvement of care

KDMC’s Cancer Resource Center features a gifted team of physicians and nurses who provide patients the most promising treatment options, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The Cancer Resource Center also features a 24-bed nursing unit that provides comprehensive inpatient oncology care.

KDMC is recognized as a “Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program” by the American College of Surgeons. This exclusive designation is for those facilities that treat 650 or more newly diagnosed cancer cases each year and provide a full range of diagnostic and treatment services that are available on site or by referral.